[KB-020] My USB connection keeps connecting and disconnecting repeatedly. How do I fix this?

Product: Arcade2TV-XR / Tankstick | Platform: PC | Confidence: High

Answer: If you hear continuous connect/disconnect sounds when plugging the controller into your PC: If firmware updates continue to fail due to physical connection issues, try swapping both the internal wiring harness and the external USB Type-B cable (a standard printer cable) to rule out a faulty cord.

If an X-Arcade Tankstick controller displays a red light (indicating power) but is not recognized by a PC or emulator, the issue may be caused by a faulty internal wiring harness or the external PC cable rather than the PCB itself.

Cable Requirements:

DB9-to-USB Adapter Issues:

Xgaming has a known workaround for intermittent connection warnings or connection drop messages that appear on the display even when the controller continues to function correctly. Contact support for details on this workaround. Firmware Update: If mechanical issues are ruled out, a firmware upgrade may resolve the issue. Refer to the guide at: https://support.xgaming.com/support/solutions/articles/12000101199. A comprehensive video tutorial for upgrading firmware for the X-Arcade Arcade2TV-XR is available at https://youtu.be/cuK0s52LeEA. The latest Arcade2TV-XR software is available for download at https://shop.xgaming.com/atv-config-tool.

Evidence: Support threads 2025-10 to 2025-11, keywords: USB disconnect, loose port, DB9 adapter, voltage drop, wiring harness, firmware v3.64, Apple Silicon virtualization

• When connecting the Arcade2TV-XR to a PC, using a rear motherboard USB port is preferred over front-panel ports to ensure a stable data connection and rule out system-specific issues
• Make sure you're using USB-B port for data (not USB-C, which is for power only)
• The standard USB-B data cable included with the Arcade2TV-XR (Tankstick) is approximately 10 feet long. This USB Type-B cable used for data connection is a standard printer cable, which helps users identify compatible replacement parts. Xgaming does not sell longer versions of USB data cables directly; all available accessories are listed on the official website, and customers requiring extra length are advised to use third-party extensions. To maintain a stable signal and prevent input lag or connection drops, the total length of the USB connection (including any extensions) should not exceed 15 feet (5 meters).
• To troubleshoot data detection issues, users should connect the USB-B cable to the PC without the USB-C power cable attached; if the unit lights up and blinks, it confirms the USB-B port is successfully receiving power and data from the PC.
• The X-Arcade Tankstick is designed to not interfere with a computer's POST (Power-On Self-Test) or boot process. PC boot or POST failures occurring when an X-Arcade controller is connected are generally attributed to the motherboard's USB power management and initialization settings during the boot process rather than a fault with the controller itself. If a PC fails to POST or complete the boot process while an X-Arcade Tankstick is connected in Mode 1, the recommended workaround is to connect the controller to the USB port only after the computer has fully finished booting.
• If using the DB9-to-USB adapter for 2-player setup, check if the USB receptacle is loose
• Wiggling the adapter connection and hearing connect/disconnect sounds indicates a faulty adapter
• To isolate whether a connection issue is caused by an adapter or the Tankstick itself, users should plug the DB9-to-USB cable directly into a PC in Keyboard Mode and verify if button presses register in a text document.
• Intermittent inputs, joysticks triggering random actions, and unresponsive buttons, when the controller itself is known to be functional, are symptoms that suggest an issue with the 2-in-1 adapter not correctly passing signals to Brook converters.
• The X-Arcade 2-in-1 adapter is natively designed for use with the PlayStation 3 and Original Xbox consoles only; while it may be used as part of an adapter chain for newer systems, its LED indicator is not required for operation and will typically remain off on modern consoles like the Xbox Series X. The adapter LED will fail to illuminate if the controller is in X-Input mode, the wrong DB9 cable is used, or the power-on sequence is incorrect.
• When testing the X-Arcade 2-in-1 adapter on a PC via joy.cpl, it is normal and expected for the device to be identified as a PlayStation controller, as the adapter is natively designed for PlayStation 3 and Original Xbox hardware profiles.
• To diagnose a suspected faulty 2-in-1 adapter, connect it to a PC and test the controller inputs via the joy.cpl utility; successful input registration confirms the adapter is functional, while no response indicates a hardware failure in the adapter.
• When the Brook Wingman XE2 adapter is connected to a PC, it is expected to be identified as a PlayStation controller in the Windows Game Controllers (joy.cpl) menu; this confirms the system is correctly recognizing the hardware profile of the connected adapters.
• Contact support for replacement adapter if this is the issue
• Firmware version v3.64 is a specialized build designed to resolve intermittent USB disconnection issues on the Arcade2TV-XR.
• The type of disconnect/desync occurring after 2-5 minutes of gameplay is not normally observed if the controller firmware has never been updated, implying that un-updated firmware is usually stable in this regard; performing a force firmware upgrade to V3.64 followed by a factory reset in the Arcade2TV software is the recommended troubleshooting step to resolve potential firmware corruption.
• Updating the Arcade2TV-XR to firmware version 3.62 requires the use of Arcade2TV software version 1.0.14 or later to facilitate the firmware update that enables haptics features.
• Users who wish to avoid the Haptics Kit 1.8 firmware update can run the Arcade2TV-XR controller on firmware version 3.62, as the disconnection issues addressed by 3.64 only affect a subset of units.
• Always use Arcade2TV updater software version v1.01.14 or later for firmware updates. Arcade2TV software version v1.01.6 has known issues with device detection ('No device found' errors) and should be replaced with version v1.01.14 or later for a stable connection.
• The Arcade2TV software and the device firmware are independent; uninstalling or updating the software on a PC does not affect or remove the firmware already flashed onto the hardware components.
• Firmware updates may occasionally report an error or warning message during the process even if the update has completed successfully.
• When launching the Arcade2TV software for firmware updates, users must right-click the application and select 'Run as Administrator'; failure to do so can cause the firmware upgrade to fail or only partially flash.
• If the Arcade2TV software fails to recognize a device or a firmware upgrade fails, users should temporarily disable antivirus software on the PC before re-downloading and installing the software and firmware files.
• The Arcade2TV software may fail to detect the controller on certain computers due to system-specific compatibility issues; hardware functionality should be verified by checking for keystrokes in a text editor while the unit is in Keyboard Mode (red blinking).
• Windows updates can occasionally erase or corrupt registry data for specific USB devices, which may prevent the Arcade2TV software from recognizing connected X-Arcade hardware.
• The touch panel hardware is robust and is not susceptible to physical damage caused by firmware upgrade processes.
• An interrupted firmware flash does not permanently damage the X-Arcade hardware.
• The standard order required for firmware upgrades using the Arcade2TV software is: Plug the Arcade2TV controller into your PC or laptop, open the Arcade2TV software, and wait about 10-15 seconds for the software to recognize the device. If not recognized, restart the software or PC.
• When using the Arcade2TV software for a firmware upgrade, the user must wait for the status to display 'Initiated,' 'Init Complete,' or 'Handshake Complete' before clicking the 'Upgrade Firmware' button to ensure the device is properly recognized.
• Connecting the USB-C power cable during a firmware upgrade can prevent the Arcade2TV-XR controller from rebooting properly after the update is complete.
• After a force firmware upgrade is completed, the controller must remain plugged in until a Factory Reset is successfully completed in the software to restore the board's functionality.
• If the Arcade2TV software interface displays button statuses as 'N/A', performing a factory reset using the button within the software can restore correct button recognition.
• The Arcade2TV-XR configuration software only detects and displays button inputs when the controller is set to Keyboard (red) or D-Input (blue) modes; if the controller is in X-Input (green) or Pinball Mode (blinking purple), the software will show 'N/A' as these modes are designed for direct use in games and Windows. The Arcade2TV configuration software does not support remapping of any X-input mode.
• To perform a factory reset via the Arcade2TV software, set the controller to Keyboard mode (red light), connect to a PC via the USB-B port, and click the Factory Reset button located in the bottom-left area of the software window.
• A factory reset for the Arcade2TV-XR controller is performed exclusively through the Arcade2TV software and cannot be triggered by any physical button combination on the hardware itself.
• Flashing firmware intended for the dongle or haptics PCB onto the main controller will cause the Arcade2TV-XR unit to stop responding.
• A forced firmware upgrade is recommended to ensure firmware is written cleanly and is specifically effective for resolving issues where a device is sending random inputs, is not recognized by the PC, or was only partially flashed, as the procedure bypasses the standard software detection step.
• To perform a forced firmware upgrade on the Arcade2TV-XR controller, close the Arcade2TV-XR software. The Force Firmware button on the Arcade2TV-XR is the bottom-left button; during a forced firmware upgrade, the button must be held while plugging the USB-B cable into the computer, and then released immediately after it is plugged in. If the timing is off, the PC may not recognize the controller correctly for the firmware tool. After it is plugged in, open the software again. The software should then display 'Initialization Complete' or 'Handshake Complete' if the controller is detected.
• A stable computer connection is critical for a successful firmware restoration; if a PC is prone to crashing or shutting down, a different, stable computer should be used to avoid bricking the controller during the Force Firmware Upgrade procedure.
• If a firmware update consistently freezes or stops at low completion percentages (e.g., between 0% and 9%), the unit is likely stuck in a bootloader state.
• The 'waiting for bootloader' error message in the Arcade2TV software indicates that the controller is in a state ready for an update but is not communicating properly with the PC, which requires a forced firmware upgrade to resolve.
• A successful forced firmware installation should reboot the controller.
• If the Arcade2TV software fails to detect the controller during a firmware update, attempting the process on a different PC is a recommended troubleshooting step that often resolves detection issues.
• To diagnose failures during the firmware update process, Xgaming support may request a video recording showing the entire upgrade procedure and the behavior of the Arcade2TV software.
• To diagnose 'USB device not recognized' (Code 43) errors on the Arcade2TV-XR, Xgaming support requires a video showing the internal wiring and board connections while the unit is open, as well as the error occurring on the PC screen.
• A firmware update tool (https://support.xgaming.com/support/solutions/articles/12000107480-updating-arcade2tv-xr-firmware-on-macos-intel-apple-silicon-) is available for macOS (supporting both Intel and Apple Silicon chips), addressing the connectivity issues previously encountered when using Windows virtualization on Apple Silicon.
• Mac (Intel) users can perform firmware updates by using virtual machine software such as UTM or Parallels Desktop to run the Windows-based update utility.
• For Mac users running the firmware update tool via a Windows virtual machine, the recommended sequence is to connect the controller to the computer and ensure it is detected as a USB device by the host system before launching the Arcade2TV software.
• Mac users can update Arcade2TV-XR firmware directly through a browser-based tool at https://shop.xgaming.com/pages/arcade2tv-xr-web-firmware-updater-mac, which eliminates the need for Windows software or a pre-flashed replacement board.
• Google Chrome is the recommended browser for the web-based firmware updater, and the tool is fully compatible with Windows despite the '-mac' suffix in the URL.
• The web-based firmware updater tool can be used to perform a force firmware upgrade and is a recommended alternative for establishing a connection when the desktop software is unable to detect the device.
• To successfully use the web-based firmware updater, the controller must be connected via the USB-B data port, other applications using the controller must be closed, and the user must grant the web browser permission to access the USB device when prompted.
• For the web-based firmware updater to detect the controller on a Mac, the unit must be connected directly to the computer via the rear USB-B port (avoiding hubs or adapters) and must not be in X-Input mode.
• The web-based firmware updater can be used by Mac users to upgrade the haptics PCB. For Windows, the web-based firmware updater is also functional; however, the haptic board cannot be updated on Windows using the web-based firmware updater. The other two components, the wireless dongle and the controller, are firmware upgradeable using the web-based firmware updater.
• Xgaming can provide a pre-flashed PCB for $40, including shipping, for customers who are unable to perform firmware updates due to operating system or hardware limitations.
• Once a controller's firmware has been successfully flashed, no further action is needed for that specific component.